Anti-Immigration Group Reveals New Plan to Stop Migrant Boats Crossing the English Channel Into the UK

Anti-immigration activists are reportedly considering taking a hired boat into the English Channel in an attempt to intercept migrant dinghies travelling from France to the UK.

Members of the protest group Patriot Platform are said to have discussed the idea as part of their campaign to “stop the boats”. The group has previously been involved in anti-immigration demonstrations in places such as Dover and Portsmouth, where some protesters have appeared wearing balaclavas.

According to reports, the activists are considering renting a boat and travelling into the Channel, possibly into international waters, where they could try to meet migrant boats before they reach the British coast.

It is not yet clear exactly what the activists would do if they came across a migrant dinghy. However, there are concerns that they could attempt to block the boat or encourage it to turn back towards France.

Such an operation could be extremely dangerous. The English Channel is one of the busiest shipping routes in the world, with large commercial vessels travelling through the area every day. Small migrant boats are already vulnerable because many are overcrowded and unsuitable for such a dangerous journey.

Any attempt by another private boat to interfere with them could create an even more serious situation and could force Border Force, the RNLI or the French coastguard to respond.

The alleged plan was reportedly discussed by masked members of the group during a protest in Portsmouth.

One source said the proposal was still at an early stage and had only been discussed as an idea. However, some activists reportedly believe that physically stopping a migrant boat would send a powerful message if they feel the British and French authorities have failed to prevent the crossings.

The source also warned that such an attempt could end in tragedy.

There is no suggestion that Patriot Platform leader Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo, is personally involved in the reported plan to take a boat into the Channel.

Thomas has previously been involved in action against migrant boats in France. He was reported to have damaged and abandoned migrant dinghies on French beaches and has since been banned from entering France.

The reports come as tensions over small-boat crossings continue to grow in several coastal areas of Britain.

In Portsmouth, protesters gathered around Eastney Docks during a tense demonstration. The protest reportedly delayed the process of bringing around 120 migrants ashore after they had been transported to the area by an RNLI lifeboat.

Some protesters later followed coaches that were carrying the asylum seekers away from the docks to accommodation provided through the Home Office.

There were also demonstrations in Dover, another town that has been at the centre of the debate over Channel crossings. Protesters marched through parts of the town while police officers closely monitored the situation.

Some demonstrators covered their faces and shouted slogans including “Whose streets? Our streets?” as they moved through the area.

The use of masks and balaclavas during the protests has also attracted criticism, including from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

Farage condemned the scenes and argued that people taking part in political demonstrations should not be allowed to hide their identities behind balaclavas, regardless of whether they are protesting for the political left or right.

He described the scenes in Dover as “disgusting” and said he strongly opposed protesters covering their faces while demonstrating on British streets.

The reported plan to take a private boat into the Channel is likely to create further concern because of the possible risks to everyone involved. Migrant crossings are already dangerous, and there have been several incidents in which people have died while attempting to reach Britain in small boats.

If activists were to try to physically intercept or block those boats at sea, the situation could become even more dangerous. For now, the proposal is reported to be at an early stage, and there is no confirmation that the group will actually attempt to carry it out.